#BEA11: The “New Era” of the Author is Imminent

In What's the Buzz by Rachel Aydt

By Rachel Aydt BookExpo is nothing if not obsessed this year with the challenges of digital book publishing. The panel “New and Evolving Publishing Models: What Works,” offered a variety of perspectives from an esteemed group of boldfaced names including moderator: Brian O’Leary, Principal, Magellan Media Consulting Partners, overseen by Jeff Sharp, President, Open Road Media; Lou Aronica, Co-founder, The Story …

Are Self Publishing and Traditional Publishing Destined to Merge?

In Discussion by Hannah Johnson

By Hannah Johnson Over the last few years as self publishing has gained more traction among readers, booksellers and the publishing industry in general, self publishing has been seen as competition to traditional publishing. Our feature story today about Droemer Knaur’s online writing platform Neobooks is one example of how self publishing and traditional publishing can actually be complementary to …

New York Times Announces Digital Subscriptions a.k.a Paywall

In What's the Buzz by Hannah Johnson

By Hannah Johnson The New York Times publisher Arthur Sulzberger Jr. announced today the launch date and additional details of “digital subscriptions” for the New York Times — also known as a paywall. Digital subscriptions launched today for Canadian readers, which according to the announcement “will enable us to fine-tune the customer experience before our global launch.” The global launch …

Are Seasonal “Pop-up” Bookstores the Answer to Sluggish Sales?

In Discussion by Edward Nawotka

By Edward Nawotka Today’s lead story profiles Berlin’s Dialogue Books, an English-language bookstore that was open for just six months — and then moved online. In the story bookseller Sharmaine Lovegrove describes the store as a “pop-up” bookstore. Opening short run, pop-up retail locations is increasingly trendy. You tend to hear of them “popping up” around specific events, such as …

What Business Models Will Work Best for Academic Publishing in the Future?

In Discussion by Edward Nawotka

By Edward Nawotka Yes, it’s a huge question. But the general consensus is the university and academic publishing models are broken. Under pressure from funding bodies to make enough money to be self-sustaining, many university presses have turned away from their core mission of publishing monographs and original research to publishing trade-oriented titles (with mixed results). Those that have stuck …

Is Collaborative Transmedia the Next Business Model for Publishing?

In Discussion by Edward Nawotka

By Edward Nawotka In today’s lead story about Neal Stephenson’s The Mongoliad, writer Michael Bhaskar asserts that the projects represents “the next business model for publishing.” The project enlisted a team of top writers, working with computer programmers and business development personnel, to create an elaborate and sophisticated ‘verse in what, ultimately, amounts to an open-ended “conversation” with readers. Unlike a …